Ecoforecast Africa

Jasper Slingsby \(^1\)

\(^1\) Centre for Statistics in Ecology, the Environment and Conservation, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cape Town | \(^2\) South African Environmental Observation Network, Fynbos Node

What is ecological forecasting?

Why an EFI for Africa?

Most data products that inform global policy are developed in the Global North, but these are erroneous in places, largely due to lack of local knowledge…

Being “stakeholders” is not good enough. We need Africans holding the reigns.

www.globalforestwatch.org

Everyone else is getting one?

We don’t want Africa left behind… again…

The South contribute significant data

We just need the skills and resources to make the most of it!

Although Africa is lagging behind…

And more than half of GBIF records are from South Africa (38,145,962 records).

Hopefully showing the value of our own data to our decision makers will improve this.

So what are we doing?

Web form to collect expressions of interest



  • Aiming to build a community of practice to start building ecoforecasting capacity in Africa

  • Set up a Google form for sign-ups

  • Building a website (will be ecoforecast.africa)

  • Held our first meeting a few weeks ago to discuss and plan the way forward

So what are we doing?



  • Running an in-person training workshop 21-25 July 2025 in Cape Town, South Africa
  • Instruction led by Prof Mike Dietze, Boston University, USA and EFI founder
  • Supported by SEEC and others

Interest in Ecoforecast Africa so far?

Africa 21 (12 countries) | North America 11 | Europe 6 | Asia 4 | Many from or work in Africa

Interest in Ecoforecast Africa so far?

Interest in Ecoforecast Africa so far?


Great willingness to contribute skills!!! Especially from members of other EFIs


Much interest in research collaboration too!

Where to from here?

Web form at ecoforecast.africa
  • Sign up!!!


  • First meeting to discuss where to from here in the next few weeks


  • What model the African EFI adopts will be up for discussion. Note that while we are kickstarting the initiative, we do not claim ownership and invite broad participation, diverse perspectives and suggestions for the best leadership model.

Thanks!!!